From: JROSSI@EAGLE.AAMRL.WPAFB.AF.MIL Subject: What a 1000PX Kurzweil is Date: 3 May 90 02:15:00 GMT The 1000PX is the rack mount version of the K1000. The 1000Px was replaced by the 1000PX Plus about 1.5 years ago. Basically the 1000PX Plus is identical to the 1000PX except that it has the PXA soundblock installed and some better sounding programs. The two machines are essentially identical if the PXA block is added to the 1000PX. I believe that the PX+ is the currently available rack mount. The K1000 is not available anymore, I don't think. It was replaced some time ago with the K1200, which is esentially a K1000 with an 88 key, somewhat more pianolike keyboard and, I think, the PX+ voice architecture. At sometime there was a device called the K1000 SE, I'm not sure how that differed from a K1000. Anyway, each of the K/PX family can be upgraded to essentially identical devices (using PXA and PXB soundblocks [called KXA and KXB for the K series]). I can highly recommend Kurzweil modules to anybody who is looking for some sampled sounds, in a very elegant package to boot. Also, contrary to what some people believe, the Kurzweil 1000/1200 series devices are capable of some very serious synthesis. Now, there are no resonant filters for sweeping, however there are some number of hundred parameters of each voice which are controlable or mapable or both. There is a very flexible control routing system and some sophisticated envlos and amplifr tricks. Actually, you can probably do anything with a Kurz you can do with an M1, or maybe even a D50 (since the almost noexistant D50 filter can be easily simulated with the Kurz). So, not only do you get some incredible samples (the piano is still to be beat, in my opinion), you actually get a very flexible synthesizer (sans filters, but many people who read this stuff obviously don't care and wouldn't know what to do with one, anyway) as well. Nick, nonwithstanding, the Kurz 1000 series are synths. John From: mjkobb@media-lab.media.mit.edu (Michael J Kobb) Subject: Kurzweil K2000 specs (LONG) and comments Date: 17 Aug 91 06:14:51 GMT Greetings, Well, as a followup to my earlier questions on the K2000, I thought I'd type in the information that I received from Kurzweil by mail today. 1) They sent a copy of the ad that appeared in Keyboard. 2) They sent this: [all the following is verbatim, until you hit my comments at the end] K2000 A New Breakthrough in the Evolution of Electronic Musical Instruments --------------------------------------------------------------------- The K2000 is a high quality portable synthesizer designed for the professional musician in performance or in the studio. The first incarnation of an all new technology that Kurzweil engineers have been developing for the last several years, it features the highest quality ROM samples ever created by Kurzweil as well as per voice Digital Signal Processing far more powerful than that of any other digital synthesizer on the market today. In addition, more samples may be loaded into RAM, and an optional board will allow you to sample your own sounds. The K2000 combines powerful MIDI controller features, stereo effects processing, multiple polyphonic outputs, expandable hardware design, and a friendly user interface to make it the most powerful, versatile, and expandable instrument ever created by Kurzweil. The Sonic Possibilities are VAST --------------------------- ==== "Variable Architecture Synthesis Technology" allows you to take any multisample, waveform, or noise and process that sound using a variety of known synthesis techniques, as well as many new ones yet to be explored. Using any of these DSP functions is like using a unique synthesizer. In the K2000, each note can be processed using its own individual set of these synthesizer functions. It's like having any and all known synthesizers under one control panel. What's more, these different synthesis techniques can be used *simultaneously*. With the K2000, you can start with any sound you want and transform it into something completely new. The possibilities are *truly* VAST. As Your Needs Grow, So Can the K2000 ------------------------------------ The K2000 was designed to be extremely flexible and open ended. The ROM is stuffed with 8 megabytes of top quality multi samples, but you may add RAM for loading more samples, using standard SIMMs, up to a total of 64 megabytes of RAM! The on board high density disk drive and SCSI connector make it easy to load and save sounds, programs, setups, and sequences. And Kurzweil and several other companies will be offering extensive libraries of samples. In addition, an optional circuit board allows you to do your own sampling and will accept both analog and digital information. The Power is Beneath your Fingertips ------------------------------------ At Kurzweil, we have always believed that the true power of a keyboard lies in its ability to modify its sound according to the performer's whim. With extensive realtime control of various parameters, from the front panel or through MIDI, both dramatic and subtle performance nuances are possible. Performance Setups allow the keyboard to be used as a powerful controller, transmitting on up to three MIDI channels. And as with all of our instruments, the K2000 is multitimbral on all 16 MIDI channels simultaneously. Many extra features ------------------- How about portamento on any sample or waveform? Up to six octaves of pitchbend range? Sample and Hold? Or the ability to load and playback a MIDI type 0 standard sequence file? These are just some of the many features that you may take advantage of. Break the sound barrier with the new K2000. [*page two*] KURZWEIL K2000 Specifications * 31 VAST algorithms, each with up to 4 configurable digital signal processors per voice. DSP functions include: Filtering (lowpass, highpass, band pass, notch, allpass, parametric EQ, shelving EQ, 2 pole, 4 pole), Resonance, Continuous Panning, Amplitude Modulation, Crossfade, Distortion, Digital Wrap, Waveshaping, Pulse Width Modulation, High Frequency Enhancement, Low Frequency Oscillation, Hard Sync Oscillation, and Mixing Oscillation. * 8 Megabytes of ROM samples and waveforms, organized into 168 keymaps. Includes: Grand Piano, Electric Piano, Ensemble and Solo Strings, Voices, Acoustic and Electric Guitar, Electric Bass, Flute, Tenor Sax, Trumpet, Trombone, Mallets, Extensive Drums and Percussion, Exotic Percussion Loops, Attack Transients, Percussive Effects, and Waveforms. * 32 bit internal precision into 18 bit DACs, 20 khz audio bandwidth. 16 bit linear sample format. 1 cent tuning resolution. * Stereo multi effects processor with up to 4 simultaneous effects, including reverb, delay, chorus, flange, multitap, graphic EQ, Rotary, and more. * Ergonomic, friendly user interface includes: 240x64 pixel backlit graphic display, mode LEDs, soft buttons, alpha wheel, alphanumeric keypad, and programmable Jump/Mark editing shortcuts. * 24 voice polyphony, with up to 4 oscillators per voice, for incredibly fat timbres without layering. * 16 channel multitimbral. * 6 polyphonic outputs configured as two stereo pairs and stereo mix outs. Stereo insert plugs may be used to route dry signals to and from external effects devices and back through the mix outs. * 4 slots for expandable sample RAM up to 64 Mbytes, using standard SIMMs. * 3.5" floppy disk drive, 1.4 Mbyte, MS/DOS compatible. * SCSI port. * Optional digital audio circuit board allows for stereo or mono sampling directly from DAT, CD, or analog audio input. Includes Optical, AES/EBU, and stereo 1/4" connectors. Sampling rates are 32k and 48k for analog input, and 32k, 44.1k, and 48k for digital input. * 200 preset programs in ROM. * 128 kbyte battery backed RAM for user programs, setups, maps, songs, and other data - enough room for hundreds of user programs. MIDI Type 0 standard sequence files may be loaded into memory and played back. * Portamento and Mono Mode on any sample or waveform. * Up to Six Octaves of Pitch Bend range. * 61 key synth action with velocity and aftertouch. * Programs may contain up to 3 layers/splits. Drum programs may contain up to 32 layers/splits and each drum may have its own custom DSP treatment. * Internal modulation sources per layer include three 8 segment envelopes with realtime rate control and looping, two attack/sustain/release generators, two LFOs, two velocity triggers, and more. * Functions for processing control source inputs include mixers, negators, invertors, sample and hold, quantize, lag, ramp, shape, and more. * Performance Setups allow the keyboard to be split into three different zones and transmit on three separate MIDI channels. Performance controls include two switch pedal inputs, one continuous pedal input, two wheels, and one slider - all programmable. [--------end of quoted section--------] Well, that's it. One question I have is this: if there's 8Mb of ROM, and only 128k of RAM in standard config, and if Kurz and other companies are going to release new voices, then where do they go? They didn't mention card slots. I can only assume that you HAVE to get more RAM. Not that that's all that expensive. Should be ~$144 for 4Mb. I hope it'll take 2Mb SIMMs. Also, considering all their hoopla about how they want the performer to be able to control the nuance during performance, doesn't one slider seem a bit skimpy? I suppose you can always get one of those MIDI slider boxes... The Mono Mode sounds promising for wind controller applications. Well, I hope this is interesting/helpful to some of you. I'll be on the phone with Kurzweil Monday to see if I can find anybody who will give me a few more specific answers. Seeya, --Mike From: kalin@silver.lcs.mit.edu (Dan Kalin) Subject: Re: Kurzweil K2000 synth demo - MIT Media Lab Wed Nov 6th 12: 00 Date: 16 Nov 91 00:06:15 GMT I want to clear up a few questions about the K2000 from a previous posting. >> (1) Can you do LA synthesis on it, e.g. layer a large number of sounds to >> create a patch (e.g. four or more). The specs I saw in Keyboard magazine >> said up to four oscillators per voice, but I assume only one filter. Well, only Roland synthesizers can do LA synthesis [tm]. As far as four oscillators per voice, marketing hype aside, it is possible. As on the 1000 series, for each program you have several layers. (3 on the k2000, 4 on the 1000 series). One voice is taken up to play a layer. Briefly, The layer starts out with a sample [acoustic, waveshape, partial, attack, etc.] that is processed through an algorithm. There are about 30 or so algorithms, and each one defines a "flow" of signal processing. There are five components in the chain. Pitch and Amplitude control are fixed. In between are three selectable DSP segments that can be various filters, wave shapers, oscillators (sine, saw,and square), among others. Some of these DSP functions use up more than one segment and do more complex processing. So, if you devote these segments to oscillators then you can effectively have up to a four- oscillator voice. >> (2) Can it resample a wave passed through the effects? No. However, a staggering variety of effects can be created with the DSP processing. >> (3) Can you have effects and filters at once, or would you have to use an >> outboard effect to do this? In addition to the DSP effects, there are built-in multi-effects which can be used simultaneously with the programs being played. >> (4) Does it have extensive sample editing functions and/or automatic looping >> of samples etc. > That software will be part of the sampling option. I doubt that you'll be > able to edit ROM based samples although who knows. Correct. Comprehensive sample editing features will be included with the forthcoming sampling option. You will probably be able to edit ROM samples. The basic machine will accept samples through MIDI sample dump. >> (6) Does the keyboard have aftertouch? > Mono pressure if my memory serves me correctly. It does support poly pressure > via MIDI. This is correct. >> (7) Did you get any impression of programming capabilities, I think you said >> that you could get any sound you wanted but what about the programming effort/ >> results ratio? > Although its prommanging capabilities were limitless (their motto is that > it takes 300 years to explore all of it options), I think with reasonable > practice (considerably less compared to FM) one could acheive some pretty > impressive sounds. On the other hand, I must admit I was pretty overwhelmed > at first. This is a problem inherent in any new device, IMHO. The programming effort/results ratio has been calculated to be 1.34997. The 300 years was calculated by hiring temorary personnel to sit at the beta-test units and scroll through every parameter to play every sound. This was done while a stopwatch was running, and the "lap time" was multiplied by the number of people, to get 300 years as a final value. In fact, this is the major reason it has been a long wait for the K2000 to be shipping. (tongue out of cheek now) Seriously, the user-interface is very intuitive and very easy to navigate. It is very satisfying to program your own sounds on the K2000. If you are familiar with the 1000 series programming interface, rest assured that the K2000 is heaven in comparison. Remember though, I have never been in heaven, athough playing a Matrix-12 comes close. :-) It is hard for me not to be biased, of course, and even harder for me to convince you net people that I am not biased, so you all will just have to see for yourself since this is an extremely subjective area. I have a k1000, From: eab@cbnews.cb.att.com (eugene.a.beer) Subject: Kurzweil K2000 Date: 7 Feb 92 15:24:01 GMT I, too, was somewhat disappointed after listening to the ROM sounds of the K2000--largely because some of the killer samples that were in the K1200 were not present (vibes and acoustic bass for example). There is a "vibes" patch in the K2000 but it is really a synthesized waveform, not a sample. In talking with a technical engr. at Young-Chang, he explained that these samples would be included in the next ROM set this summer. Too bad, it's over $700 to add another ROM set (expansion board, $260; 8MB ROM, $500). HOWEVER, (and this is why I would buy the 2000) supposedly, you will be able to purchase subsets of ROM samples on diskette for $20/10diskettes. If you can truly mix and match any diskettes to get the samples you want, that would be ideal. Or, hopefully, they will offer the entire new ROM set in a diskette package. To add 8MB of RAM to the K2000 should only cost about $300. at today's SIMM prices. eugene beer eab@cblph.att.com From: lee@wang.com (Lee Story) Subject: Re: Best piano sound - A Kurzweil.... Date: 17 Jan 92 15:30:45 GMT Although I commented before in another thread, the question of the "best" piano sound is perpetually fascinating. I remember how impressed I was to listen to a Chopin etude on the K250 in Chris Yavelow's closet/studio several years ago---and the Kurzweil boxes would still get my nod as the most impressive in an A/B test, though I agree that the sound can be very "dry". Reverb doesn't seem to get into the basic sound and energize it. Then again, a Steinway Model D or B can be dry too---after all, the piano is sort of to modern Western music what the "lead" pencil is to art. You don't expect OR WANT bright colors. I walked into an instrument shop a week ago to give a long listen to the Emu Proteus 1 and Proformance modules, which I'd tried briefly a while before. The old A/B comparison (the same very fine monitor speakers in both cases, and no effects other than those built into the boxes) led me directly to Roland! The Sound Canvas (less than $700) made the Pro's "Dark" and "Grand" sound artificial, and with really nice woodwind sounds, multiple drum sets, channel-by-channel reverb, and 24-note polyphony it was worth the extra couple hundred over the Proformance. (Not as good orchestrals as the Proteus 2, though, and a *miserable* harpsichord. If the Pro 2 contained the "Dark" piano sound, and a good hpschd, I'd have probably sprung for the additional $400 or so.) Not really much progress over the MKS-20 plus a good and tasteful reverb ( plate verb at 100%---yeeeetch :), but in cost-effectiveness nothing seems to beat Roland. And I wanted to but American this time, I really did. Why isn't there more discussion of the Sound Canvas? Is it so inexpensive that the emusic connoisseurs can't believe it can be any good? Now if they'd only reissue the MKB-1000 keyboard controller (or Young Chang would give us an improved Midiboard)! Q.: Why are the harpsichord sounds in unspecialized synths and prerecorded sample players so abysmal? I have a couple of 8-bit samples (S-10/MKS-100) that are rather good---including the Roland-distributed QD---and R. even makes a couple of dedicated MIDI hpschds with samples from a real Ruckers, as I remember; yet in their other boxes it sounds like a square wave with a plucked attack added. Yamaha (TX1P et al) is just as bad. Probably because they want to reserve precious ROM'd sample memory for the more popular sounds with vast repertoire, like the B3 Hammond? :( Answering my own question. Market forces. It would drive me to use samplers exclusively except for (1) the cost of a sampler that will instantly access and simultaneously play a dozen instrumental sounds, and (2) it's a real craft to record your own samples, involving expensive microphones, extensive sample editing, etc. -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Lee Story (lee@wang.com) Wang Laboratories, Inc. (Boston and New Hampshire AMC, and Merrimack Valley Paddlers) ------------------------------------------------------------------------